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Odors In Vehicles With A/C System Information

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Odors from the A/C system can come from various sources. Only a portion of these odors come from the A/C unit evaporator and can be corrected by cleaning the evaporator.

Odor Type Possible Causes and Corrective Measure
Smells like burnt oil
  • Usually originates in the engine compartment due to leaks on the engine or transmission
-- Eliminate the leaks on the engine or transmission
Sulphurous smell similar to exhaust
  • Leak in the exhaust system
  • Exhaust fumes, which get into the vehicle interior, for example, when driving in reverse through an exhaust gas cloud
-- Eliminate the leaks in the exhaust system
Fishy smell like coolant
  • Leak in the cooling system of engine or of A/C system heater core.
-- If the fishy odor is also detected in recirculation mode as well as in fresh air mode, check the heater core for leaks.
Smells like a burned clutch
  • Clutch plates are worn or there is an operating error
-- Check the clutch
Evaporation
  • Floor mats, retroactively installed decorative seat covers, etc.
-- Check the floor mats or decorative seat covers. Replace or clean.
Rotten, moldy or musty smell from the front of the vehicle
  • If the plenum chamber cover is damaged or incorrectly installed, water can enter the fresh air intake through the fresh air intake cover.
-- Check the fresh air intake for the A/C unit. Refer to FRESH AIR INTAKE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
  • Contaminants, such as leaves, pine needles, etc. collecting in the plenum chamber
-- Check the plenum chamber for contaminants. Refer to OVERVIEW - PLENUM CHAMBER COVER .
  • Water that cannot drain out of the plenum chamber
-- Check the water drains. Refer to OVERVIEW - PLENUM CHAMBER COVER .
Smell from the A/C unit.
  • Too much condensation water in A/C unit
-- Check the condensation water drain. Refer to CONDENSATION WATER DRAIN HOSE, CHECKING .
  • Old or heavily contaminated dust and pollen filter.
-- Check the dust and pollen filter. Refer to DUST AND POLLEN FILTER, REPLACING
  • Deposits on evaporator slats
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